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Fast track courts

Brief Note On The Scheme Of Fast Track Courts (Non-Plan)

The Eleventh Finance Commission recommended a scheme for creation of 1734 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) in the country for disposal of long pending Sessions and other cases.The Ministry of Finance sanctioned an amount of Rs.502.90 crores as“special problem and upgradation grant” for judicial administration.The scheme was for a period of 5 years.The Finance Commission Division (FCD),Ministry of Finance released funds directly to the state Governments under the scheme of Fast Track Courts.It is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to establish these courts in consultation with the concerned High Courts.

The FTCs were established to expeditiously dispose of long pending cases in the Sessions Courts and long pending cases of undertrial prisoners.

The term of scheme on the Fast Track Courts which were recommended by the Eleventh Finance Commission ended on 31st march, 2005. The Supreme Court, which is monitoring the functioning of Fast Track Courts through the case of Brij Mohan Lal Vs UOI & Ors observed that the scheme of Fast Track Courts should not be disbanded all of a sudden and in its order dated 31st march, 2005, directed the Union of India to continue the Fast Track Courts.

The Government accorded its approval for the continuation of 1562 Fast Track Courts that were operational as on 31.3.2005 for a further period of 5 years i.e. up to 31st March, 2010 with a provision of Rs. 509 crores. The Department of Justice is monitoring the scheme.

The Central assistance under the above said scheme is limited to an approved norm i.e. Rs. 4.80 lakh per court per annum (recurring) and Rs. 8.60 lakh (non-recurring). Any expenditure incurred by the State in excess as recurring and /or non-recurring expenditure would have to be borne by the State Government.

Year-wise funds released by Department of Justice is indicated below:

Year

Grant released

2005-06

Rs.100.00 crore

2006-07

Rs.100.00 crore

2007-08

Rs. 57.2 crore

2008-09

Rs. 54.56 crore

2009-10

Rs. 56.13 crore

2010-11

Rs. 73.16 crore

As per the latest available information received from the High Courts/State Governments, 32.34 lakh cases have been disposed off by these courts, out of 38.90 lakh transferred to these courts leaving 6.56 lakh cases pending for disposal.

The scheme of central assistance for Fast Track Courts was extended for a period of one year i.e. upto 31.3.2011. It was decided that there will be no central funding for Fast Track Courts beyond 31-03-2011.